Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
I find my voice and follow his gaze to take in the finery surrounding us. “This place is beautiful.”
“We’re blessed now with some very generous donors. I believe you’ve met a few of them by working at Inferno.” Father Francis folds his hands in front of him, looking at me expectantly as if he’s said something revealing.
Is this place connected to Fraternitas? Jaeger said he and St. James were raised by Father Francis, along with the head of the organization, a man I only know as The Devil.
Could the brotherhood be the church’s main donor? It would make sense if they wanted to give back to the man who’d helped them and so many other kids.
Does a priest really associate with a gang leader called The Devil?
“Maybe,” I say. I glance at his hands, checking for a skull ring.
With a sly smile, he raises his hands and shows me the front and back. His fingers are bare. The only jewelry he’s wearing is the cross.
Instead of feeling relieved, I tense up further. He seems to be reading my mind. And is amused by my scrutiny.
He’s a priest, for godssakes. So why do I feel like a shark is circling me in the water?
“I know you’ve met St. James,” he says.
Ah yes. Anyone associated with St. James isn’t someone I’ll let my guard down around. Although it’s ironic how much a soulless man like St. James is involved with a church.
“Why do you think Jaeger wanted us to meet?” I ask.
He cocks his head. “You don’t know?” He presses his lips together, and I get the feeling that while I had once been an interesting specimen, now I’ve disappointed him. “I suppose it’s not for me to explain.”
What the fuck does that mean? I open my mouth to ask, but he continues, “Suffice it to say, Jaeger is very important to me. And he knows I’d want to meet anyone important to him.”
My rude retort dies on my tongue.
Father Francis’s eyes narrow at my speechlessness. Before he can say anymore, I hear my name.
“Elodie.” Jaeger appears, walking back from the altar. He comes to me and slides me into his arms before facing Father Francis. “I see you’ve met each other.”
“Yes,” Father Francis says. “We were just speaking of you.”
“Nothing bad, I hope.” Jaeger smiles but searches my face. I must look a little shell-shocked.
I feel like I’ve been called to meet Jaeger’s one and only parent without any warning.
I guess I have.
A shadow slants across us as another figure winds around the altar. It’s Kaiser, dressed in jeans and a leather jacket, black from head to toe. He glares at us. Without a word of greeting, he makes his way down the side aisle and leaves.
I look from Kaiser’s retreating back to Jaeger. Were the brothers meeting here? Or did Kaiser just happen to be here?
What is going on?
Jaeger returns my gaze but says nothing.
“It’s lovely to see you here, Jaeger,” Father Francis says. “Will you two stay for mass?”
Jaeger shakes his head.
“Ah, well,”—the priest shrugs—“I had to ask.”
“Dum spiro spero,” Jaeger says, and Father Francis grins.
“I see some of the Latin lessons stuck.” Father Francis stands to let Jaeger pass. “Goodbye, then. And good to meet you, Elodie. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of each other.” He stands in the aisle and watches us exit.
“What did you say?” I ask Jaeger as he carries me away.
“It’s Latin. ‘While I breathe, I hope.’”
He carries me out, and at the top of the steps, I can see into the next lot, which has a playground filled with children.
“Is that the school?” I point to it.
“Yes.”
I crane my head as we pass the fence, but I can’t see more than a modest brick building five or six stories high with many windows.
Jaeger told me he hadn’t attended the school, but obviously, Father Francis tried to give him an education anyway. It makes sense. Some of Jaeger’s manners and way of speaking are oddly formal. And I’ve never met a thug who knows Latin.
He sets me in the car and heads around to the driver’s side. He still hasn’t told me what he was doing or why Kaiser was there.
“Did you get your errand done?” I probe.
“Yes.” He puts his hand on the stick shift but pauses, turning to give me a long look.
I want to ask him more about his brother and Father Francis and what errand required him to visit the church, but I don’t. I lick my lips and settle back in the seat. Jaeger puts the car in gear, and we leave St. Xavier’s and Father Francis behind.
“Elodie,” a deep voice calls my name. “Elodie, wake up.”
I come awake with a gasp. I’m in the dark bedroom with Jaeger beside me. He’s propped up on an elbow, his free hand on my shoulder. He orders the lights to turn on the lowest level.